Last Updated on May 10, 2023 by Dr Gustavo Assatourians DDS
Foods to eat after wisdom teeth removal, implants, or after dental surgery
When we require assistance from our dentist, we expect him to reach a diagnosis or perform a procedure to allow us to continue to maintain our dental health. At the time of the consultation, we wait for the procedure to be carried out. Then you ask what to do.
It is important to know about the different dental procedures. Some are invasive or minimally invasive, involving the teeth, gums, and jaw, or other structures of the mouth or face. It is wise to always seek to maintain the dental structure and minimize any damage that occurs.
Invasive procedures include filling cavities, fixing broken teeth, treating gum disease, and replacing missing teeth, among other dental pathologies. Some procedures entail:
a. Extraction: one of the most common procedures for different reasons evaluated by the dentist during a consultation.
b. Bone graft: this becomes necessary when part of the jaw bone has been lost for different reasons: one of them is the absence of a tooth or insufficient stimulation of the brain. The roots and nerves in the jaw cause bone deterioration over time.
c. Dental implants: the replacement of a tooth by a molded substitute that resembles the tooth to maintain aesthetics and/or functions when chewing or smiling.
d. Wisdom teeth: adulthood is reached, wisdom teeth are the last to come out. They should be checked out by the dentist in advance to identify if there is room for them to grow. When there is not enough space, it can cause pain, infection, and other dental problems, making extraction through dental surgery.
e. Periodontal surgery: It is associated with inflammation of the gums near the tooth, called periodontitis. The treatment for this disease consists of displacing the tissue near the tooth and moving it away, so the dentist can remove and clean the plaque and bacteria that have accumulated under the gums and in the root of the tooth.
There are other surgical procedures; in each case, your dentist must explain the preparation, the procedure to be carried out and the place. The recovery time for these procedures can range from 3 days to a week, depending upon the care, type of surgery, and dentist’s evaluation in the postoperative period.
Postoperative care
After the procedure, important care steps must be followed to avoid risks and obtain a speedy recovery.
1. Bleeding: Immediately after surgery, they may need to clean the area with gauze until the bleeding stops.t is recommended not to rinse, brush or spit, as well as use straws. You may not smoke or consume hot d following 24 hours.
2. Medications: Your dentist may prescribe pain relievers and/or antibiotics to help with the pain and swelling and to prevent infection. The use of cold or ice packs helps, but their application must be guided by the dentist. Alcohol consumption is not recommended for adults.
3. Activity: rest for the next 24 hours and for a week; avoid bending over and doing activities that take great effort.
One of the main questions in after-procedure care is the type of diet to follow foods should be soft, especially on the first day. Then you can gradually incorporate semi-soft foods, depending on your tolerance.
Must avoid
- Hard or crunchy foods such as seeds, Peanuts, walnuts, dried fruit, crispy dessert toppings.
- Spicy or irritating foods such as tomatoes, and pickles.
- Acidic foods such as juices and/or juices, Sweets, gummies, marshmallows, and all sugary foods.
- The consumption of soft drinks or sugary drinks is not recommended. Foods that require strong chewing, such as meat.
- Granular, or small particles that enter the surgical site.
- Hot foods, coffee, tea (or other stimulating drinks) can inflame the gum or the surgery site.
A soft puréed diet is recommended combined with appropriate medications that are soft and allow easily chewed and swallowed. You can mix them with liquids and creamy products, or strain the juice to filter the particles out.
The diet must be rich in nutrients and well-balanced to allow rapid healing. It is allowed to include foods such as jellies, cream products, eggs, crushed protein, and fruit compotes, among others.
Classification of the foods to eat after wisdom teeth removal or surgery
Below you will find extensive information on how to adjust this type of diet to balance it: An adequate diet should contain fiber, protein, carbohydrates, fats, dairy products, and their derivatives, vitamins, and minerals.
Protein – Foods that contain a good source of protein:
- Meat
- Fish
- Poultry (chicken, turkey) Milk, either cow’s or
- Powdered cheese
- Greek Yogurt
- Eggs and egg white mashed
- Beans, nuts, and nut butter
- Soy products, such as soy milk, tofu, and edamame (soybeans)
- Protein powders
- Liquid food supplements (Ensure, Ensure Plus®, and Boost®)
Carbohydrates – Some foods can provide us with this, not only processed flours, such as:
- Starchy vegetables (potatoes, peas, various types of squash)
- Brown rice
- Oatmeal
- Cereals
- Bread
- Pasta
Fats – It is not recommended to consume in excess since this could cause health problems and inadequate postoperative healing.
Unsaturated fats are found in:
- Olive oil
- Canola oil
- Peanut oil
- Fish oil
- Avocado
Saturated fats are found in:
- Meat
- Full-fat dairy products (whole milk, cheeses, full cream, cream cheese )
- Butter
- Coconut and products derived from it (coconut oil palm oil)
Within the fiber, CATEGORY, CHOOSE soluble ones such as:
a. barley
b. oatmeal
c. fruit: this increases the supply of minerals and helps proper digestion.
On the other hand, we have insoluble items:
a. The skin of some fruits
b. vegetable
c. Legumes (peas and lentils – easy to cook)
Also, as an alternative to dairy products to support us in maintaining an adequate diet when lactose intolerance is present, consider cheese, milk, Soy products, and yogurt. Almond products (milk, cheese, and tofu)yogurt are fine.
Foods allowed to be pureed and those to be avoided
|
Type of food |
Allowed to eat |
Avoid |
| Milk and dairy products |
|
|
| Vegetables |
|
|
| Fruits |
|
|
| Starches |
|
|
| Meat |
|
|
| Fat |
|
|
| Soups |
|
|
| Desserts and cold foods |
|
|
An excellent selection for people who have had an extraction, whether for wisdom teeth or another dental health problem, are soups and creams. This allows us to consume adequate food that contains all the necessary nutrients and is delicious so we feel satisfied.
A suggestion of a menu and how to adjust
In the following weeks, purees are an excellent option in the event that the soft diet must be continued. Here is a sample of a possible menu for the first days after dental surgery:
| Food | Type of food |
| Breakfast |
|
| Mid-morning |
|
| Lunch |
|
| Mid-afternoon snacks |
|
| Dinner |
|
| Evening snacks |
|
